The first two chapters of the book was already enough to draw me in and support my views on reading comics as a beneficial experience. Eisner advocated the strengths of reading comics, as it involves the reader in both visual and verbal interpretations. The book was also informative in terms of what I, as the creator of the comic, need to be aware of --- "Comics communicate a 'language' that relies on a visual experience common to both creator and audience." (Eisner, p1) This idea was consistently emphasized throughout these chapters as a reminder for me to be conscious about the target audience and their cognitive experiences; as reading comics depend greatly on it.
To further support the notion of reading comics being an educational activity, Eisner stated: "The format of comics presents a montage of both word and image, and the reader is thus required to exercise both visual and verbal interpretive skills... The reading of a graphic novel is an act of both aesthetic perception and intellectual pursuit." (Eisner, p2) I greatly appreciate the use of "exercise" in these statements, it is like alluding to comic reading is a way of practicing, a skill to hone, the understanding of images and literature. These claims are, unfortunately, a little narrow in defining what a comic really is, for in my personal perspective, comics is not just a simple combination of words and images.
Leaving that said, Eisner had more to discuss concerning the understanding within comic reading: "Comprehension of an image requires a commonality of experience. This demands of the sequential artist an understanding of the reader's life experience if his message is to be understood. An interaction has to develop because the artist is evoking images stored in the minds of both parties." (Eisner, p7) In addition to upholding my argument mentioned in the first paragraph, Eisner pointed out the "interaction" between reader and creator. The creator must involve the reader with the comic, and the reader must have a certain level of sophistication in order to interpret meaning conveyed by the creator. There are contributions from both reader and creator, a two-way communication, and thus forming the interaction.
Lastly, concerning the art form of comics, Eisner argued: "Sequential art as practiced in comics presents a technical hurdle that can only be negotiated with some acquired skill. The number of images allowed is limited, whereas film or animation an idea or emotion can be expressed by hundred of images displayed in fluid sequence at such speeds as to emulate real movement. In print this effect can only be simulated. This challenge is not a disadvantage, however; in fact, it enables comics' singular ability to allow readers to consider many images at the same time, or different directions, a capability film lacks." (Eisner, p20) This argument is valid in terms of reading comics as a though-provoking experience regardless of its contents or subject matter. As the act of reading alone requires skill and understanding of the fluidity of comics. In contrast to viewing a film, where the audience remain as passive lookers, comics engages the reader through using their interpretation to give rise to meaning. However, due to the time period this book was written (1985), there may not have been the emergence of motion comics yet--- comics that utilize animation to convey movement. Therefore stating comics' emotion and action can only be simulated may be slightly obsolete if put in recent context.
I have only reached Chapter Three of this book, and I am completely hooked. I will definitely do more reading and hopefully I will find more important information to support my project.
I ran out of doodles to post, here is something from a while back. I have named it "Head in the Clouds".
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